Three of this week’s Virtual Console offerings in the PAL regions are new to said regions, continuing this month’s invasion of import classics. I’ve not played some of them, but we all know you can’t go wrong with Puyo Puyo games, right? Also, joining those three games is the always-entertaining Metal Slug. You can check out the full list below…

• Puyo Puyo 2 (Mega Drive, 900 Wii Points)
• Break In (TurboGrafx-16, 700 Wii Points)
  
• Cho Aniki (TurboGrafx-16, 900 Wii Points)
  
• Metal Slug (NeoGeo, 900 Wii Points)

Expensive week, huh?

Since Nintendo refused to name the Pokemon Trainer “Ash” in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Ash has officially only been in one video game to date. That game is now available on the Virtual Console in North America today, along with one other classic.

• Pokemon Puzzle League (Nintendo 64, 1000 Wii Points)
• Renegade (NES, 500 Wii Points)

Maybe next week will be Mother’s Day. You can check out the official descriptions for both of this week’s games after the break.

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Last year, the Hanabi Festival brought several weeks of themed VC releases, special because they had previously only been released in Japan. This year, that celebration is back, and European and Australian Wii owners can pick from two games that were Japan-only and the US version of a third game that was Japan/US-only.

• Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou (TurboGrafx-CD, 900 Wii Points)
• Final Soldier (TurboGrafx-16, 700 Wii Points)
• Columns III: Revenge of Columns (Mega Drive, 900 Wii Points)

The United States and Canada celebrated Hanabi Festival week with several Japanese-only releases last year as well, most notably getting Sin and Punishment. Since those of us in North America have already played Columns III, perhaps we’ll soon be getting a different game that may have been released here, but few have played… If not Monday, then maybe later this month.

Just the other day, readers of Nintendo Power made it clear what they wanted, and now, a few days later, the ESRB updated their site with a meaningful addition to the Wii library, Earthbound. It has happened in the past, that games will often show up on this list just before they are released. However, this by no means guarantees a speedy delivery. At least Nintendo is thinking about it enough to have the title rated.

Die hard fans make sure you take some Bayer before I say this, but I’ve never had a chance to play the game. I know I know, how can I even call myself a Nintendo fan, but I was a little brother growing up, which meant that someone else ruled over my game purchases with an iron fist. Needless to say, I would love to play the game now that I am free of my bro’s oppresive rule and have broken the shackles of sibling slavery.

ESRB
via Vooks

Nintendo recently ran a poll in Nintendo Power asking readers to name their most wanted Virtual Console games. Not so surprisingly, Earthbound landed on the top of the list. More impressively, the Japan-only release of Mother hit number four. With so much love, will Nintendo finally crack under the pressure and release these classics? Probably not. But everyone can dream. Full list after the break.

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If you’re a North American Wii owner not currently spending your week playing Mario Kart Wii, then 1.) what’s wrong with you? and 2.) you have a classic alternative to spend your paycheck on. Double Dragon is this week’s lonely Virtual Console addition. Any takers?

• Double Dragon (NES, 500 Wii Points)

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I’m pretty sure that most of us “classic” gamers have fond memories of spending multiple allowances trying to defeat those pesky Shadow Warriors. Those lucky folks in Europe now have the chance to use whips, barrels and knives on the NES port of Double Dragon on the Virtual Console. While the NES version was much different than the original arcade game, this version did add a little spice to the adventure with RPG characteristics and extended stages.

While I’ve heard stories about Tetris or shooter addictions, this was the only game I used to see in my sleep. It is only a matter of time before we are able to get this here in the states, and I will definitely be holding my breath for this one. This game has spawned multiple sequels and ports, but which is your favorite?

• Double Dragon (NES, 500 Wii Points)

And by everywhere, I mean everywhere. Jim’s creator Interplay has recently announced that they are prepping both Earthworm Jim and Earthworm Jim 2 (as well as their Clayfighter and Boogerman games) for the virtual console. All four titles are expected to be out this year.

If that weren’t enough, they also announced that a brand spanking new Earthworm title is the works, aptly named Earthworm Jim 4. That is about all we know, as no platform or gameplay details have surfaced. To help stir up some earthworm-fever, an animated series and feature film are being developed simultaneously with the game. Douglas TenNapel, the series creator, will have an artistic hand in all the projects. For fans of the series, there isn’t much more you could hope for. Personally, I’m crossing my fingers for more of a classic 2D side scroller, and less of what happened with Earthworm Jim 3D.

Kotaku and…
Kotaku

This week’s update brings two more games to the downloadable table for gamers. They are:

• River City Ransom (NES, 500 Wii Points)
• Phantasy Star III Generations of Doom(Sega Genesis, 800 Wii Points)

While I’m sure than many River City Ransom fans out there are squealing in joy, I’m starting to wonder when some more “OMG this game changed my life fifteen years ago” titles will be landing on the service. I, for one, haven’t bought a Virtual Console game in awhile. How long has it been for everyone else? Full press release after the break.

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If you find yourself looking at your classic controller and sighing at what you could be using to play Super Metroid and your various Street Fighter iterations, look no further! Behold: the Super Famicom (NES) Classic Controller! Previously only available to Club Nintendo members, Play-Asia and NCSX are making it available for pre-order.

At the time of writing, NCSX isn’t taking any more pre-orders, and Play-Asia has yet to make the product available, but I’ll be keeping an eye on this, so keep checking back. Head on past the break for Inside-Games’ magnificent newly received controller.

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